#Determined by latia reed

Three years ago my determination to be the best me got real but only after being told by Doctors that I would die. First, can I just go back to when I was a child?

When I think about being a child, I think about how determined I was. I think about how energetic, creative, daring and confident I was. There was absolutely nothing that I could not do. If someone told me that I could not do something, I would show them that I could. If someone told me that I could not have something, I would do whatever.  I had to do to show them that I could get it. Let me tell you a story about my childhood determination.

When I was much younger, my preteen years to be more specific, there was this guy that I absolutely loved. In my mind he was tall, dark and fine as wine with a voice smooth as silk. I was in love as if I had written the book on it. Now remember that smooth silk voice? It was also deep and guess what, that caused a problem in my household. Not only was I not allowed to have a boyfriend, I could not even have a friend that was a boy if he looked and sounded like this guy. My family told me that he was too old for me. They told me that he was not to call me, see me or anything remotely close to it and I had better not even be caught saying hello to him.

My determined little soul could care less about what they told me. I knew that he was the same age and I knew that we were in love like nobody’s business. Short of the long is this; I continued to talk to him and see him which was my end goal. We would find ways to end up in the same place at the same time which was my strategy. I would get caught breaking the rules and I would get in big trouble but again, I didn’t care. I was in love, I was determined and I wanted what I wanted at whatever cost.

Now fast forward to three years ago. As the weeks had gone by I noticed that I began to feel worse and worse. I went to appointment after appointment which eventually landed me in the hospital with the words “you may not live to see weeks end. You are lucky if you make it overnight.” Thank God I was determined to beat the odds and I am still here.

After this long and irritating health struggle, I knew that there was so much more to me and If I were granted another hour, day, week or year, I would live life to the fullest by operating in my life purpose. Don’t get me wrong, I was already living a pretty pleasant and purposeful life but I wasn’t operating at my highest self.

I began to think about two things, my life design and the words that the doctors had told me. I thought about the fact that so many people leave this world unfulfilled and not having been the best that they could before their life ended. I don’t wish this for anyone. My prayer is that you follow your heart no matter what. My prayer is that you not allow anyone to tell you what you can and can’t do. My prayer is that you live from a place of higher. My prayer is that you tap into your God given creativity and confidence and that you are as determined to be the best that you can, just as I was determined to get to the guy and cheat death.

You are responsible for your own happiness. You get to design your life so think about your end goal. Come up with your strategy and keep pressing and progressing no matter what.

This is a guest post by LaTia Reed. To learn more check her out at https://www.instagram.com/hersynergy/

---